Why Some Etsy Reviews Don’t Show Up

Missing Etsy reviews are usually a timing or eligibility issue, not a buyer changing their mind. Reviews only publish after the order reaches Etsy’s estimated delivery date, and the review window runs for a limited period after that, so a long processing time or wide delivery range can delay everything even if the package arrived early. Some orders also can’t post a public review until the buyer connects a guest checkout to an account, and digital items typically require a download before reviewing is unlocked. On top of that, a review can be filtered out by sort settings, delayed by a temporary display glitch, or removed if it violates review policies, and the most common mistake is hiding the real cause in your shipping settings.

Etsy review not showing: the most common reasons

Review not submitted or still processing

The simplest explanation is that the buyer hasn’t actually submitted a review yet. Many buyers start typing feedback, get distracted, and never hit “Post.”

The next most common issue is timing. Etsy only opens the review option after the order’s delivery date or estimated delivery date. That means a buyer can receive a package today, but still see a message telling them to come back later if the order is not yet considered delivered in Etsy’s system. With digital items, the review window usually doesn’t open until the buyer downloads the file. Etsy summarizes these timing rules in its guide on how the review system works for sellers.

If you suspect this is what’s happening, check the order’s estimated delivery range and your processing time. Overly long processing times and broad shipping ranges can push the review date out further than you expect.

Buyer edited, removed, or account changed

Reviews are not always “final” the moment they appear. A buyer can edit their rating and written review during Etsy’s review window, and what you saw yesterday may look different today.

Occasionally, a review disappears because the buyer removed it, Etsy removed it for a policy reason, or the buyer’s account status changed. If the buyer checked out as a guest, they typically need to connect that purchase to an Etsy account before they can leave a public review at all, which can create a long delay.

Review visibility differences across shop pages

Where you look matters. Etsy can show reviews in a few places, and they do not always match perfectly in the moment:

Shop Reviews (your overall shop page)
Individual listing reviews (feedback tied to that specific item)
Order-based views in Shop Manager (what you see as the seller)

It’s also easy to miss a review due to sorting filters. If you’re only scanning “most recent,” a review attached to an older order (or edited later) can be buried.

Etsy rules that can hide or remove reviews

Policy violations and prohibited content

Sometimes a review does not show up because Etsy removed it for breaking review rules. Etsy is clear that it only removes reviews when they violate policy, and once removed they can’t be reinstated.

In practice, reviews (or review photos/videos) are most likely to come down when they include things like private identifying information, hate or harassment, or discriminatory content. Etsy may also remove reviews that are clearly spam, are written to advertise something unrelated, or include prohibited medical drug claims. Another common category is reviews that are solely about something outside the seller’s control, like naming a shipping carrier, Etsy itself, or a third party, instead of the item or the seller’s service. These criteria are summarized in Etsy’s guidance on what happens with negative reviews and when Etsy will remove them.

Reviews tied to extortion or third-party interference

Etsy also treats review manipulation seriously, and it can affect visibility. A review may be removed if it includes threats or extortion, like “refund me or I’ll leave 1 star,” or if someone tries to trade compensation for a positive review. Similarly, shilling (fake reviews intended to inflate a shop’s rating) undermines the integrity of the review system and can be removed.

Cases Etsy typically will not remove

The frustrating part for sellers is that many “unfair” reviews still stay up. If the review is basically the buyer’s opinion about quality, craftsmanship, materials, fit, accuracy of the description, or communication, Etsy generally won’t take it down just because you disagree. Delivery disputes can also remain, even if tracking suggests the package arrived, unless the review crosses into one of the policy violation categories above.

Where to find and manage reviews in Etsy seller tools

Viewing reviews on desktop vs Etsy Seller app

On desktop, the most reliable place to check is your shop page inside Shop Manager. Etsy’s seller guidance also notes you can access reviews from Shop Manager by selecting your shop and scrolling to the Reviews area, and on mobile you can find them in the Etsy Seller app under More > Reviews. The same guide also explains how review timing works and where reviews appear. You can keep it handy here: How the Review System Works for Sellers.

If a buyer tells you they left a review but you can’t see it yet, always check both desktop and app. Temporary display lag is rare, but it happens, and it’s quick to rule out.

Sorting reviews by order and time

When you’re trying to find one “missing” review, sorting is everything. Start by checking:

Your shop’s public reviews (what shoppers see) for the most recent feedback.
The specific listing page, since some reviews are easier to spot when they’re attached to an item.
The order in Shop Manager, so you’re not relying on memory of dates.

If the review was edited, it may not show where you expect right away. Also double-check that you’re looking at the correct shop section if you have more than one sales channel or storefront view.

Downloading review data for your records

If you want a clean backup for bookkeeping, customer service tracking, or trend spotting, Etsy lets you download your reviews as a file from Shop Manager (desktop). This is useful when you’re comparing reviews over time, or when you need to reference older feedback without endless scrolling.

Troubleshooting missing Etsy reviews and display glitches

Signed-in vs signed-out viewing differences

First, check what a shopper sees versus what you see as the seller. Open your shop in a private/incognito window (signed out), then compare it to your signed-in view in Shop Manager.

Why this matters: signed-in pages can show seller-only tools, different sorting states, and occasionally a cached version of a page. Signed-out viewing is a fast way to confirm whether the review is truly missing publicly, or just hard to spot in your current view.

Also confirm you are looking at the correct locale and shop URL, especially if you use multiple languages or you share links that add filters or landing states.

Cache, app updates, and browser issues

If the review exists in one place but not another, treat it like a display problem first.

A quick checklist that solves a lot of “it’s not showing” reports:

Hard refresh the page on desktop (or close and reopen the browser tab).
Clear your browser cache for Etsy, or try a different browser.
Update the Etsy Seller app, then force close and reopen it.
Toggle Wi‑Fi off/on if the app is loading an older view on a weak connection.

If a buyer says they posted a review “just now,” give it a little time before you assume it was removed. Short delays do happen, especially around busy shopping periods.

Listing, variation, or order linking problems

Some “missing review” situations are actually “review is attached somewhere else.”

This is common when you have multiple similar listings, you renew or relist frequently, or you offer many variations. The buyer may have reviewed the purchase, but you are checking the wrong listing page.

When a review attaches to a different item

If the buyer purchased Item A but you expect the review under Item B, check:

The exact order receipt in Shop Manager (the item name and thumbnail matter).
The review feed on your shop page (often easier to locate than on a single listing).
Other listings that share the same photos, title keywords, or variations.

Once you find the review’s “home,” you can decide whether to adjust your listing structure (titles, photos, variation names) to reduce future confusion for buyers and for you.

Reporting a review to Etsy and what happens next

How to flag a review for policy review

If a review violates Etsy’s policies, the cleanest path is to report it inside Etsy, not to argue about it in messages.

On Etsy.com, open the review and choose Report this review. You can report the written review itself, the buyer’s review photo/video, or even a seller’s public response if it crosses the line. Etsy’s Help Center walks through the reporting flow in How to Report a Review.

One important timing detail: Etsy allows review reports for up to 100 days after the item’s estimated delivery date. If you wait too long, the report option may no longer be available.

What information Etsy may request

When you report a review, expect Etsy to ask for a reason and a short explanation. The most helpful “extra info” is specific and easy to verify, like:

The exact sentence that violates policy (copy it into your note).
A quick description of what happened in the order timeline.
Relevant order details that provide context.

If the issue is really about intellectual property or a counterfeit claim, reporting a review is not the right channel. Etsy routes IP issues through a separate process.

Privacy and timing after a report

Reporting is confidential. The buyer will not be told who reported their review, which helps reduce retaliation and back-and-forth. Etsy also notes there’s no need to flag the same review multiple times.

After you report, Etsy reviews it and either takes action or leaves it up if it complies with policy. There isn’t a guaranteed turnaround time, so it’s best to report only clear violations and then focus your energy on service recovery and future reviews.

Responding to reviews so buyers see your side

Posting a public response to a review

A public response is best when you want future shoppers to understand the situation quickly. Keep it short, calm, and factual. Avoid sarcasm, blame, or long explanations.

A strong public reply usually does three things:

Acknowledges the buyer’s experience without debating feelings.
Clarifies one key fact (processing time, sizing, materials, personalization, etc.).
Offers a path forward, like “Please message me and I’ll help.”

Write it for the next customer reading your reviews, not for the one buyer who is upset. If the review is about a shipping delay, you can state that delivery is handled by the carrier, then highlight what you control, like ship-by times, tracking, and support.

Private follow-up messages without escalating

If you message privately, aim for resolution, not a rewrite of the review. A short note works best:

Thank them for the feedback.
Ask one clear question if you need details.
Offer a specific remedy you can actually deliver.

Do not pressure the buyer to change their review. Even well-meant requests can come off as coercive. If you do issue a replacement or refund, keep your language neutral and focused on service.

Turning negative feedback into clearer listings and policies

The most valuable part of a negative Etsy review is the pattern it reveals. If you see repeated comments, update the parts of your shop that prevent confusion:

Add a photo that shows scale (hand, ruler, or room context).
Tighten variation names so buyers pick the right option.
Put the most important details in the first lines of the description and in listing photos.
Re-check processing time and shipping profiles so expectations match reality.

Handled well, a tough review can make your listings clearer and reduce future “review not showing” stress by creating smoother, more predictable orders.